Childminder in Southampton

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 161011 Inspection date 20/08/2009 Inspector Helen Mary Ball

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her two school-aged children in the Shirley area of Southampton, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Access to the premises is good. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. She has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the Southampton Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children thrive in the care of this childminder who is both fun and capable. She has an optimistic approach and this means that children of all abilities can take part in activities which she adapts to meet their individual stages of development. The childminder has excellent relationships with parents/carers and as a result, children are happy, settled, safe and secure during their time at the setting. Although the childminder does not carry out regular self-evaluation, she has a professional approach to childcare and is committed to developing her own knowledge through ongoing training.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that children benefit from a collaborative approach to their learning and development  continue to develop the self-evaluation system to monitor the provision and outcomes for children

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provision

The childminder is well organised and children’s health and welfare are effectively underpinned because all required policies, procedures and consents are in place. The childminder conducts thorough risk assessments both within the home and for outings. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has undertaken child protection training and has written a safeguarding policy which is shared with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents.

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provision

Children develop independence as they select their activities from a wide range of accessible resources, and space is organised so that children can move and play freely throughout the ground floor of the childminder’s home. The childminder has excellent systems in place to support children who speak English as an additional language. Daily routines ensure that children have ample opportunities to play and learn indoors, outdoors and on a variety of outings.

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provision

The childminder sensitively observes and assesses children's development and keeps well-organised records of children’s achievements which clearly identify each child’s next step in learning. In addition, the childminder knows each child very well and this means that she is aware of their favourite activities.

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provision

Parents and carers are kept informed about children's progress through daily discussions and through the sharing of observation records. The childminder actively seeks parents’ views about the setting, and references from parents are testimonial to the good quality service the childminder provides; they state that the childminder is reliable, caring and flexible and that the needs of the children come first. The childminder is developing links with other settings that children attend to ensure that her provision complements services provided elsewhere.

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provision

The childminder keeps up-to-date with childcare issues through regular training courses. However, she does not always evaluate her provision which means that she may not successfully identify areas for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very settled and happy in this setting. The childminder has a fun but patient approach and she ensures that all children are included in activities. She is skilled at ensuring that each child receives individual time and attention and this helps to build secure relationships so that children feel safe and supported in her care. For example, as children are painting, the childminder quietly feeds the baby and cuddles him before he sleeps.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder very effectively supports children's learning; she provides sensitive support to children but is skilled in knowing when to withdraw so that children experience the sense of 'a job well done'. For example, as the children are playing ‘Taz’ the childminder joins in and plays alongside the youngest child, thus allowing her to fully participate in the game. This sensitive approach helps children to develop high levels of self-esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder completes observations and assessments of children’s progress so that these can be used to plan for their future learning needs. She has attended training on the Early Years framework and uses the learning journey booklets to successfully identify the children’s next steps in their learning and to provide challenge during activities. Overall, children make very good progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder strikes an effective balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities. She knows children’s individual interests and plans for simple activities such as painting paper plates to create insects. She encourages children to make their own choices of materials and colours, and this means that children are fully engaged in activities because they are interested. Children are excited as they mix

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

colours and create their pictures. The childminder displays children’s work around her home and this helps them to develop a sense of belonging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop a healthy lifestyle through daily physical exercise. They are taken out every day and they regularly visit local parks. The childminder reduces the spread of infection because she provides each child with individual hand towels. Children learn to become good citizens through every day activities. For example, they help the childminder to sort packaging for recycling and enthusiastically discuss how these materials will be used once recycled.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very well safeguarded within the home. They play safely indoors because the childminder undertakes risk assessments and she reminds the children about safety issues. For example, she discusses fire evacuation with them. The children confidently show the inspector the escape routes they would use in the event of fire. Frequent praise and the childminder’s consistent approach to behaviour management, ensures that children are gaining in confidence and that their wellbeing is assured. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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